driving speed with a slide in truck camper?

[Tim_T]

How fast do you experienced truck camper users drive on the interstate, assuming your speed is not restricted by weather, traffic, bad roads, etc.

With our 5th wheel, I'm typically in the right lane at 64 mph. Is that the norm for a truck camper too?

We expect to pick up a Host Cascade from a dealer in Wisconsin in a few weeks and will have a 400 mile drive home to Michigan.

[Flyer15015]

Truck camper?
You know you're going to be a bit top heavy.
How fast are your lane changes?

Wind resistance goes up with the square of the speed, Ergo, gas milage goes down with speed. Got lots of $$$$$$?

Common sense should rule.

JMHO
Mike in Colorado

[bigb56]

I've had 2 slide ins on SRW trucks and drove both between 60 and 65. It's possible that if you have a dually it would feel safe at 75.

[prescott23TE]

I have always kept my speed at around 65mph. I have towed toy haulers, fifth wheels, double towed, and two different motorhomes. when you get over 65 with the weight and questionable handling/braking of RV's you're taking an unreasonable risk.

Years ago Ford published a series of videos demonstrating how a truck camper affects handling of their trucks. The video should still be around U-Tube.

[n0mad]

Really depends on the truck. My loaded AF1140 and 2019 Ram 3500 DRW and air bags started to feel sketchy at times in the low to mid 60s. With add-a-leafs and moving to 245/70R19.5 tires, it felt comfortable up to around 75mph. My 2021 5500 would be comfortable at 80mph+ all day long if I had wanted to do it. I usually would set the cruise in all those rigs to about 70mph on the Interstate. Same trucks, same cruising speeds, with my 40ft fifth wheel.

With your F-450, I think you'd be somewhere between the upgraded Ram 3500 DRW and the 5500, and should be able to comfortably go faster than you would reasonably want to.

My class A on the other hand has 68mph drive tires (because I wanted fairly aggressive ones for boondocking) and I typically set cruise around 65mph.

[Tim_T]

Thanks all.

It sounds like I could drive a few mph faster with the truck camper than I my 64mph towing speed if I wanted to. There's probably a little more headroom for passing than I have now.

I expect I'll continue in the mid 60's for stability, fuel, etc reasons.

[MORSNO]

I set my cruise for 65 when on the interstate highway system for driving safety, comfort and mileage. It drops as you speed up, but I've drove steady at faster speeds in the past without issues. Remember, the slower you go on the highway the better handling and mpg is but don't be a road hazard by going to slow and holding up the big rigs when there's a lot of traffic around. 55 mph back highways are always appreciated!

[shoreco]

The safest speed on the interstates are usually the speed of traffic....although 63/65 mph are the most comfortable driving speeds for me (37ft class A towing a pickup) I can do 70mph when needed...

[Dave Pelletier]

With my long wheelbase, DRW, diesel, I go the speed limit unless weather or traffic conditions dictate otherwise.

2 cents,
Dave

[Stircrazy1]

with the camper I usually drive 55mph some times 50, slower if the speed limit is lower. my 5th wheel I can tow way faster if I want, but I normally do 55 to 60mph with the 5th wheel. any faster than that and it starts sucking more diesel than it is worth for the time savings, plus Im on holidays why do I want to be rushing around?

[MORSNO]

Originally Posted by Dave Pelletier

With my long wheelbase, DRW, diesel, I go the speed limit unless weather or traffic conditions dictate otherwise.

2 cents,
Dave

Can I ask what the speed limit is where you live or camp most often? Here in the western US it is 80 mph (129 kmh), which is way too fast for a camper/RV for long distances, that is why many of us go the big semi truck speed limits or slower.

[08Carriage]

Our Host Aspen felt top heavy compared to Carriage 5th wheel.
Your first time towing will tell you a lot about the handling
I added stabilizers to the springs which made a difference.
Lower speeds mean better MPG I try and stay within the speed limit

[Dave Pelletier]

Originally Posted by MORSNO

Can I ask what the speed limit is where you live or camp most often? Here in the western US it is 80 mph (129 kmh), which is way too fast for a camper/RV for long distances, that is why many of us go the big semi truck speed limits or slower.

speed limits here are usually 100 - 110 km/h (60 - 68 mph). I've gone faster on some of the huge long straight stretches between here and Vegas.

Dave

[Toyman01]

In my 96 Ford with the Alaskan, I'd set the cruise at 65-75 depending on traffic.

We ran all over the eastern half of the US and Canada without issue.